https://www.herald.co.zw/productive-farmers-to-get-support/

Aug. 13, 2021

During the 2021/2022 season, the National Enhanced Agriculture Productivity Scheme (NEAPS), also known as Command Agriculture Special Programme for Import Substitution, would assist productive farmers with a solid track record of productivity and debt payback. CBZ and Agricultural Finance Corporation, previously Agribank, will fund the initiative, which will assist 5000 farmers.

$4bn for Grain Under Presidential Inputs Scheme

Among a slew of steps being taken to improve the agriculture sector's performance, the government has set aside $4 billion under the Presidential Inputs Scheme for grain production, and it would pay unpaid cotton earnings given by farmers to Cottco directly. Government equity in the Cottco and Silo Foods industries will also be increased to 51 and 74 percent, respectively, as the government works to achieve an upper middle class economy by 2030 by implementing the National Development Strategy 1 economic blueprint (NDS1).

Presidential Cotton Inputs Distributed In Full Swing

Cotton inputs under the Presidential Free Inputs Scheme have begun to be distributed in most regions of the nation, giving farmers adequate time to prepare for the upcoming planting season. Inputs like as fertilisers and seed have already been distributed to common distribution locations in Chiredzi (Masvingo province) and Checheche (Manicaland), according to a recent visit there.

2021 -22 Agriculture Season Preparations

Two (2) million farmers have so far been trained under the ClimateProofed Presidential Inputs Pfumvudza/Intwasa Supply Scheme, while 2.3 million have already done the requisite land preparation (digging holes/holing out). Inputs distribution under the Scheme is ongoing. A total of 347 583 households have been trained under the Presidential ClimateProofed Pfumvudza/Intwasa Cotton Programme and inputs distribution is underway.

Presidential Blitz tick Grease Scheme

46 852kg of tick grease were distributed under the Presidential Blitz tick Grease Scheme.

Zimbabwe's crop hectarage increases by 23%

Farmers in Zimbabwe planted crops on over 3.4 million hectares in the 2020/2021 agricultural season, representing a 23 percent increase from the 2.8 million hectares planted last season. The increase was driven by abundant rainfall received this season, early distribution of inputs and support to farmers by the government

Pfumvudza Programme

Regarding the Pfumvudza Programme, Cabinet was informed that households supported under the Programme had increased from 1.8 million to 2.2 million.  All the 2.2 million families enrolled had been automatically entered in the Pfumvudza competition for all the crops. A total of 2 139 275 households had been trained on Pfumvudza. Additionally, the Zunde  raMambo concept had been revived and inputs are now being distributed to 286 chiefs.

732 000 farmers receive inputs

About 732 000 households have received seed under the Climate-Proofed Presidential Inputs Scheme as the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) intensifies distribution of inputs ahead of the November 15 deadline by which all beneficiaries should have received their allocations.

Cultivating 410,000 hectares under the Command Agriculture special programme for import substitution (2020-2021 season

Farmers benefiting under the special programme for import substitution, Command Agriculture are expected to put 410 000 hectares under food crops during the forthcoming summer cropping season.

Command Agriculture is a cost recovery agriculture scheme introduced by Government to substitute importation of maize.

Guarantee of loans to the Agriculture Sector

Government has reiterated its pledge to guarantee all loans that banks will extend to commercial farmers under the revamped Smart Agriculture Concept, previously known as Command Agriculture, to give lenders confidence to financially support the sector without being restrained by concerns of the risk of defaults, an official has said.

The loan facilities will, however, be mainly available to farmers with a proven track record of producing and repaying their loans to the Government when the State agriculture financing programme was still running as Command Agriculture.

Enlisting Commercial Banks and more private sector players in the administration of a new financing model for Command Agriculture

Government has enlisted commercial banks and more private sector players in the administration of a new financing model for Command Agriculture, as it seeks more sustainable means of financing agriculture to boost production. The financing scheme will be implemented under a public private partnership (PPP) arrangement with the ultimate goal of mobilising financial resources for the sector, widely regarded as the backbone of the Zimbabwean economy. The approach is in line with the 2019 National Budget as well as the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP), which envisions Zimbabwe becoming an upper middle income economy by 2030, driven by increased industrial activity.

$2.8 billion dollars slated for command agriculture

Government has earmarked $2,8 billion for Command Agriculture, which will extend the facility by another year and result in the production of 210 000 hectares of maize and 30 000 hectares of soyabeans during the 2019/20 summer cropping season. Presenting his Mid-Term Fiscal Policy Review and Supplementary Budget Statement on 1 August 2019, Finance and Economic Development Minister Mthuli Ncube said the programme will only benefit farmers with good track records of repaying loans and producing high yields.